Page 43 of All Bets are Off

“Next week. At first it was going to be two months, but Slade pulled some strings for me.”

“I’m glad you’re getting a second opinion. The difference in her from when I saw her at Christmas is unbelievable.”

Spirits low, we head downstairs.

“West!” A female voice calls my name, and I turn. I frown. “Anna?” She looks much like she did the last time I saw her, only a little more mature. Her blond hair is pulled up in a bun and she’s wearing a smart cream-colored suit.

“It’s so good to see you!” Anna hugs me. Over her head, my eyes meet Logan’s. He looks surprised, too, but mostly miserable. The last two hours have been hard on him. I just want to get him home.

“What are you doing here?” I ask Anna, politely.

“My brother lives close by.” She smiles. “I’m a receptionist here at Garden Oasis.” She indicates the desk behind her.

“Small world,” Logan says.

Anna turns to him, still smiling. “Hi, Logan. How are you?”

“I’ve been better,” Logan says, looking like he’s about to break.

“Logan’s mother lives here,” I tell her. “It was nice seeing you, Anna. We have to go.” With a hand to Logan’s back, I lead him toward the automatic doors to the right of the reception desk.

“Wait!” Anna hurries after me. “Can we have dinner some time? Catch up?”

I hesitate, and that’s long enough for Anna to tell me to meet her here on Wednesday at six and then to disappear in the back.

“What just happened?” I ask, dumbfounded.

“Looks like you have a date,” Logan says, walking ahead of me out to the parking lot.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Logan

For the next few days, I concentrate on my mother. Her mood swings get worse, and I have to take the week off to deal with her. But she doesn’t want me, she wants West. I don’t tell him that—he’d only change his schedule to be with her, and that wouldn’t be fair to him. I know he loves her, but she’smymother. For some reason, since the moment she laid eyes on him after moving to Redding, she’s been obsessed with him and has wanted nothing to do with me. I think she’s angry at me for moving her out of her house. It’s not West’s fault, but a small part of me is jealous all the same. And I’m exhausted. I can’t sleep, and I’m hardly eating. The day of the doctor’s appointment can’t arrive fast enough, but time seems to drag.

On Wednesday night, West comes downstairs, ready for his dinner with Anna. I have to say I’m not too thrilled about this turn of events, but I don’t want him to know that. He can have dinner with whomever he wants to. It’s just so obvious to me that Anna is still in love with him.

“I guess I’ll get going,” he says, hovering over me where I sit with my laptop on the couch, researching dementia.

“Have fun,” I say. Suddenly, West snaps my laptop shut.

“Hey!” I look up at him.

“Logan, I’m worried about you.”

I frown. “Why?”

“You’re not taking care of yourself. I know you’re very concerned about your mother. I am, too. But if you’re going to be there for her, you need food and sleep.” He brushes his thumb over my cheek. “You have dark circles under your eyes.”

“I’m fine. Go on, or you’ll be late. You don’t want to make Anna wait.”

“Dammit, Logan! I don’t give two shits about Anna. I would’ve canceled if I still had her number.”

I sigh. “So, you have no choice but to go.”

“Sure, I have a choice.”

“You wouldn’t stand her up. You’re not that kind of guy,” I say, opening my laptop again. “Bring me something good to eat.”

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